Thursday, April 10, 2014

Review: Of Darkness and Crowns by Trisha Wolfe

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Of Darkness and Crowns (Goddess Wars #2) by Trisha Wolfe
The moon goddess has taken up residency within Prince Caben, darkening his mind and soul. Now he hunts the very women he sacrificed his life to save, his conflicting desires for love and power raging a battle within him. Kaliope possesses the key to setting Bale free, and Caben will stop at nothing to see his goddess restored. Even if that means destroying the kingdom he’s sworn to protect, and the infuriating woman who torments his thoughts.
Kaliope, now the leader to the newly formed Nactue Guard, has vowed to save Caben. But with a traitor lurking among her people, and powers she’s unable to fully control, Kaliope’s mission becomes shrouded with doubt. Her new role as watcher over Caben’s kingdom brings a burden she’s unable to bear alone, and appointing the right person in charge of the prince’s affairs has turned a kingdom against the Nactue leader. Saving her stubborn, willful prince from the darkness overtaking him will be the battle of her life, and she needs people she can trust by her side. But bad blood between members of the Nactue obscure Kaliope’s journey, while her feelings for Caben cloud her judgment.
When the time comes to do what she must to destroy the goddess of chaos, will she be able to if it means losing Caben forever?
Book two of the Goddess Wars is told in dual point of view from Kaliope and Caben. New Adult Dark Fantasy, intended for readers 17 years of age and older.

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Publishes in US: March 20th 2014 by Trisha Wolfe
Genre: NA Dark Fantasy
Source: sent by author and bought
Series? Goddess Wars #2
My Review: Of Silver and Beasts by Trisha Wolfe

Buy it: Amazon

Author stalk away: Site Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | YouTube Channel 

    I have been eager to read Of Darkness and Crowns since I finished the first Goddess Wars book. It left me needing to know what happens to Caben after he allows himself to the be the vessel, and I was feeling so much for Kal because she now has the responsibility of trying to see if he can unpossess Caben to have the man she loves back, guarding the Empress as well as running and helping Prince Caben's country while he can't. 
    I love Trisha's writing and Of Darkness and Crowns is no exception. She jumps right into the action and picks up where the last left of. She faces Caben more than once and it is so hard around him, there is a romantic pull, hard to seperate what she sees and remembers as well as something dark from the moon goddess inside his mind. 
    We also get Caben's point of view, and you can tell the lust for power and wild need to dominate and subdue Kal is all from the dark goddess, but he is also warring with the goddess because what he, drunk from power and madness wants and the shard and need to be free that the goddess wants.  
     In Of Darkness and Crown, Trisha really shows us the different layers of Caben and of Kal. Through power some of their desires, the best and worst parts of them are brought to the surface. Also, the parts that aren't them and are the madness, provokes responses--anger, fear, resolve in the other. 
     The romance is in a weird place in this one, obviously, because of the possession and Kal's fear of having to kill him in order to banish Bale, but also her strong fight and what she'll do to keep her vow to save Caben. But there are still some really hot scenes, never fear. It wouldn't be a Trisha Wolfe book without some serious swoon. Though these scenes are ones that make you think, while you can't blame them from giving in to the lust and the attraction between them, I was also glad when they found the strength to say no, until they could be with each other without a goddess of insanity and darkness in the back of his mind. 
    Not only does Kal face war torn nations, trying to save the man she loves, but also changed relationships. Lilly is hard on her mind, but with Kal's priorities, she can't give her the time that she wants, and we see things shift some in that regard. Also, Kal's faith in the goddess as well as in Iana are tested in this one. While I understand to some extent where Iana was coming from, I totally felt the loss with Kal of the trust, closeness, bond and loyalty shifting with certain actions and conversations, decisions made that Kal doesn't agree with or understand. 
     Of Darkness and Crowns leaves us in an okay spot, but it is one that you know the characters will have to do a lot of healing and a lot of growing in order to overcome. There are still big obstacles in front of them before personal, relational and political freedom can be attained, but they are in a relatively peaceful holding point until the next shoe drops for the third book. I will definitely be continuing this series, buying and devouring anything that Trisha writes, and falling in love with her writing, characters and stunning worlds.

Bottom Line: Great second book that left me longing for more in the series.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Could you kill the one you love if they were evilly possessed?
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32 comments:

  1. I haven't started this series by this author, but I LOVED Destiny's Fire, so I will definitely check this one out too.

    Jessica @ Rabid Reads

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    1. Shes a sweet friend and I read her before published and will keep reading everything she writes

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  2. I haven't read any book by this author, and I have a feeling that I'm missing a lot. I'm glad this one was a great follow up. :)

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  3. I need to meet Caben! Hopefully i can read the first book soon. Great review!

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

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  4. That good? And I was all, meh when I first saw it now

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  5. I picked up book 1 and very excited for this series, glad to hear the second book was just as strong!

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  6. Yes, I could kill the one I loved because they aren't themselves anymore. Scary thought! I have heard such great things about this author, I really need to try her sometime.

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    1. That's true not themselves, but its still the shell, I think I would have a hard time.

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  7. I'm glad you ended up enjoying the sequel :) I have the first book on my kindle and want to read it at some point. Great review!

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  8. I've been meaning to read this author for AGES!

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  9. Glad to hear that this series keeps getting better with each new installment, but still leaves you wanting more. I don't think I could kill the one I love if he was evilly possessed... I guess it would depend on evil? *shrugs* Plus, I'm planning my wedding, so best not to think about murdering # 1. Yet. ;) Great review!

    Carmel @ Rabid Reads

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    1. Yes indeed, lets not consider killing him while planning wedding :)

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  10. I haven't read any books by this author before but a part of me is dying start reading it now that i know the second book in this series is prety good! I like hearing good things about book two in a series so i can decide whether or not I should read book one. LOL!
    Lily @ Lilysbookblog

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  11. I still haven't read anything by Trisha Wolfe either yet, but I'm thrilled to see that you're having so much fun with this series! The characters sound amazing! Brilliant review! :)

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  12. I am so glad this second book was so strong and that you enjoyed it. I should really try it :)

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  13. I'm longing for more in this series too! The relationship is darker between Kal and Caben and it just showed how evil Bale was. Fab review Brandi!!

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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    1. It is dark, but only could be when half or more of mind is gone

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  14. This sounds like a very strong sequel, Brandi! It seems to me that Kal has to make a lot of tough choices and I guess instead of trying to fix things myself, I'd have to seek help from experts in exorcism if a loved one was evilly possessed. Thanks for the question :)

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    1. Yeah, exorcism might be an idea if it weren't paranormal world where you are possessed by an evil goddess.
      But yes, Kal has soo many hard choices to make

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  15. Does this series feature a different couple? Coz the healing part would be interesting to witness

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  16. Isnt Trish a great writer?! I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Brandi!

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  17. I'm really glad you enjoyed this one. I think I would have had to have read the first book to really understand what is going on in this book. I haven't read Trisha Wolfe yet (I don't think) but good to know how much you enjoy her writing.

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    1. I do enjoy her, and though there are recaps you'd want to read 1st first

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  18. Wolfe is a great writer so I am not surprised this was so good.

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  19. I can't wait to see how the romance goes and where it ends since I love these two so much. Them being together without the possession? I'm glad that they'll resist until then. So happy you loved this :)

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  20. I can not wait to read this! I loved Of Silver & Beast. Great review.

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